*This is a continuation of AfterMath, based on the characters from My So-Called Life.
Letters and Words
AngelaVO* When you think about the power of words and letters…it's really quite amazing. I mean, letters are just words on paper, but when you put like, certain words next to other certain words they become…something…something significant.
"I can't believe no one even left a note!" Angela declared.
"Well, I'm sorry! I thought your father would be here." Patty tried to explain as she unpacked the mounds of groceries she had spread around the kitchen.
"No one was here! Not even Danielle. How am I supposed to become responsible when like, you guys can't even be?"
"Now, what is that supposed to mean? You don't think me and your father are responsible?"
"Where is dad anyway?" Angela asked, finally starting to help her mother and ignoring her question.
"You know…"Patty became quite, "I don't know."
"I guess he's at the restaurant." Angela awkwardly stated.
"Right…right! He is probably…there."
The truth was that Patty didn't know where Graham was at that moment. He hadn't mentioned to her that he was going out or had anything to do at the restaurant. Not really knowing…made her uneasy.
"Mom?"
"Uh…what…yes?" Patty shook out of her daze.
"Can I go over to Brian's tonight? And, before you say…"
"Brian Krakow's? What for?"
"Well…because…"
"Because is not good enough, young lady. It's a school night, Angela. I don't know how many times I have bent this rule for you."
"Mom."
"Is there a test or assignment that you forgot to do? Because you can't rely on Brian to help you at the last minute all the time."
"Mom."
"You have to take responsibility for your own school work."
"Mom! I don't rely on Brian…for like, my homework…ok? Gawd! I just…that's not the reason."
"Then what is?"
"It's just that…I mean," Angela sighed deeply, "I just want to like, see him. Is that too much to ask? I mean, there is this thing…I need to ask him…if he has."
"You just want to see him?" Patty asked, slightly confused.
"Can I go or not?"
"Sure. Just don't stay too late." Patty said softly, still a little perplexed.
Brian VO* I still couldn't get used to the fact that like, Angela…had started coming to my door…for like, no obvious reason.
"Hi…hey." Brian said awkwardly, opening the front door.
"Hi." Angela repeated, "I was just…you know…" she looked around nervously. Brian's eyes narrowed on her, trying to figure out what she was about to say.
Brian VO* Angela had this way…of like, being. She can never just get to the point…of things. It's like physically impossible for her, I think. Her words probably dance around in her head until she finds the right one, but her mouth continues to speak anyway. At least that's how I always thought about…her. It's really sorta…endearing.
"I wanted to see if…if…are your parents home?"
"You wanted to see my parents?" Brain asked, confused.
"No…I mean…I just wanted to see if it was alright if I came over…or whatever."
"Yes…yea!" Brian stated, almost too enthusiastically. "I mean…it's fine. They are like, not here anyway, but I mean even if they were it would be completely fine."
"Are you busy?"
"No! No, I mean I have homework but I can do that like…later…much later."
"Well, you know that book we're reading in English?"
"The Scarlet Letter?"
"Yea…you have the movie of that…right?"
"Right, Yea…I do, but you should really read the actual like, book you know?"
"I was wondering if you wanted to watch it…with me?" Angela asked awkwardly.
"Uh…oh…really?" Brian asked, surprised, "Like, right now?"
Angela nodded. "But if you think I should really read the actual book…I guess I can."
"No…you know…the book is like, long and some parts are poorly written."
"Really?"
"Yes…yea!" Brian nodded desperately, "Everyone should watch the movie anyway. I mean, it's got Demi Moore in it." Brian pointed out, taking a deep breath. His face contorted, knowing his argument was weak.
Brian VO* Am I sounding too obvious? I am…I think. I am just way too obvious.
Angela VO* Before…Brian's bumbling speech always, kinda got on my nerves. I don't know why it's almost impossible for him to complete a coherent sentence. He can never say what he actually means like it's this…mental disorder he has. It was starting to like…not bother me.
"I think that movie is in my mom's office." Brian stated.
"Your mom…has like, an office…here?"
"Yea…" Brian admitted, "Doesn't yours?"
"What are you doing?" Brian asked as he watched Angela go over to his mother's desk and look over some files that were in a pile.
"What is this?" Angela opened one of the files.
"Hey! Wait…Angela. You can't do that!"
"Why?"
"Because those are like, my mother's files…of patients I think."
"She just leaves them out?"
"I don't know! I mean…those are personal. They're official! It's wrong to even like, look at them! It would be breaking an oath or something!"
"Oh my God!" Angela whispered.
"What?" Brian raced to her side and began reading the file she was holding. Angela looked at him hypocritically. "What?" he repeated, this time to Angela.
"Brian, you're right! We shouldn't be in here." Angela smacked the file shut.
"What? Now you think I'm right? What did…what did it like…say?"
"No…Brian…it's personal."
"Listen, it's my parents office. If anyone has a right to know…it's me."
"Ok…ok…but you have to keep it a secret…like seriously secret, Krakow."
"What does it say?" Brian persisted.
Angela opened the file again. Brian took the paper from her hand and held it up. Across the top line, in print, was the name Enrique Vasquez.
Angela VO* I know it was only like, a word on paper…just one word or name, but it was…you know…powerful. Words on paper can like, change the way you see people.